Parts Needed to Add a 5-3/8" Keel Roller to a Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

What was the part number for the roller? It appears it had bushings of some type on each end. Does that roller size of 5 3/8inch total width/length fit in most CE Smith adjustable roller brackets? What hardware comes with the brackets and if not what are the part numbers for the bolts to mount the brackets and what part numbers are available for the parts used in the video of the installation? Im asking as I have a set of adjustable keel roller brackets and need to replace the roller and perhaps shaft and like the installation parts used for the roller versus Pal nuts on the ends of the roller shaft. Please provide all info possible that relates the installation in the video. P.S. The way my existing roller is installed with pal nuts allows potential for the ends of the roller to rub on the insides of the two brackets, which limits free movement in loading or offloading the boat.

asked by: Dave

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Expert Reply:

Hey Dave, good to hear from you again!

To replace your 5-3/8" wide keel roller, shaft, pal nuts, and bracket you'll need the following:

- Yates Keel Roller # YR5244-105EC
- Roller Shaft with Pal Nuts # CE10722A
- CE Smith Adjustable Mounting Brackets # CE32004G

The adjustable bracket can be used with any of the keel roller sizes since it's 2 individual brackets as opposed to a "boxed" style with a limited width. Mounting hardware isn't included (you'll need to pick it up at your local hardware store) but you'll need 3/8" bolts. If you're wanting to use a bolt for the roller (like what we did in the video) then you'll need to get that at your local hardware store as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Dave

8/22/2024

Jon, Actually my existing roller appears to measure 5" not 5 3/8". The roller itself without the "bushings" in the end measures 5" or very close to it. My roller is 5" without any bushings and it doesn't have the white plastic/nylon bushings with or in it. So I am uncertain if the brackets I have calls for a 5 3/8" total length between the two brackets. If it can, perhaps I could measure the amount of offset to determine if the brackets I have can accept a total width of 5 3/8" or not. I do like the idea of the bolt arrangement compared to the pal nuts as it gives more control on the tightness of the brackets against the end of the roller. No problem in getting the hardware such as bolt, nut and I believe at least one washer but given the large variety of length, diameters and the length of the bolt being used in place of the 5/8" shaft along with threads on part of the bolt it would help to have specs on what was used to insure getting the same thing and having it function as intended. I would assume the smooth part of the bolt not including the threads is at least 5 3/8" long. Perhaps a bit longer to account for the bolt going through the thickness of the bracket on one end anyways. Otherwise does the specific bracket mentioned have to have offsets that allow for the extra 3/8" in total width over 5" to fit into the space between the brackets. I need to know all of this due to wanting to have all the hardware and a new roller on hand when removing the old one. In the mean time I will try to see if I can measure the offsets on my adjustable roller brackets to see how it compares to the ones used in the example. My trailer tongue is 3" x 3". (Just FYI)

Jon G.

8/22/2024

@Dave A good rule of thumb is to have your keel roller 2" wider than your trailer tongue in order for the brackets, like the CE Smith # CE32004G you asked about, to fit. You don't have to have the offsets in the brackets, but most do so that the roller can be a little wider and better accommodate the boat body. If you already have the brackets then you'll need the 5" V Keel Roller # YR5213-5, or we even have the CE Smith Kit # CE32003G that comes with everything you need so that way you don't have to run to the hardware store. As for the parts in the video, I have no idea what was used. I started at etrailer towards the end of 2016 and by the time I got here the guy in the video wasn't with etrailer anymore so that's a fairly old video. If you're wanting to use a bolt then you'll get a 5/8" bolt just like the shaft I had mentioned earlier. You'll need to mock up your brackets on your trailer frame and measure out how long the bolt needs to be, taking into account any washers and nuts needed for the installation as well.

Dave

8/22/2024

@JonG Maybe I should put it this way: It appears the YR5244-105EC Keel roller that has the white referred to bushings on each end of the roller and has an overall length of 5 3/8" with the white "bushings" can't be used with the CE SMITH CE3200AG bracket set. Is that correct? So the CE32004G brackets that look like mine that are at least 11.5-11.75" in length and also have a 1" offset and allows for a 5/8" shaft and has 7 holes on each bracket. So in that example a total of 5 3/8" width/length Yates roller is being used in a set of brackets that would typically call for q 5" roller. My brackets are at least 11.5-11.75" in length and also have a 1" offset and allows for a 5/8" shaft and has 7 holes on each bracket. So perhaps contrary to the video the Yates Keel Roller for Boat Trailers - Super-Heavy-Duty Rubber - 5-3/8" Long - 5/8" Shaft Part Number: YR5244-105EC Keel roller can't be used with the CE Smith adjustable roller brackets that has a 1" offset. Is that correct? While I don't know which is best for my application the style/shape of the roller I have is like the YR5244-105EC with the exception of mine not having the white "bushings". While the suggested YR5213-5 roller may be more appropriate than the one I now have that is shaped like the YR5244-105EC Keel roller except for the bushings and I don't know how to confirm which shape is most appropriate for our boat. I don't see a way to send a picture.

Jon G.

8/22/2024

@Dave Both keel rollers will fit with the brackets you have, but the correct keel rollers and bracket configuration will depend on your boat trailer frame. If your frame is 3-3/8" wide then the roller # YR5244-105EC with the bushings will work, but if your frame is only 3" wide then you need to use the roller # YR5213-5 that doesn't have the bushings.

Parts Needed to Add a 5-3/8" Keel Roller to a Boat Trailer

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